Seikichi Iha
Seikichi Iha (“Sensei” to his students) died peacefully at his home in Lansing, Michigan on Aug. 3, 2024, surrounded by loving family and friends. He celebrated his 92nd birthday in July. Iha was born in 1932 in Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan. After surviving the 1945 WWII Battle of Okinawa, he devoted his entire adult life to studying and teaching traditional Shorin Ryu Shidokan karate, and focused on bringing people together through friendship, cooperation and learning.
A strong supporter of Okinawan cultural activities, he was a member of the Okinawa Kenjinkai (association) in Los Angeles, CA, and Michigan Okinawa Kenjinkai.
Iha received many honors including the Michigan Heritage Award (2008), Okinawa Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property Holder Award for Karate and Kobudo (2020), and the Okinawa Times Award (2024).
He enjoyed activities at home and with family and friends such as gardening, bonsai, Okinawan sanshin playing and singing. He believed the potential for learning is endless. His attitude towards life was eternally positive and as he would often say, “every day is a good day!”
Seikichi Iha is survived by his children, Uto Iha (Portland, OR) and Hirofumi Iha (Williamston, MI); and sibling, Seikou Iha (Naha, Okinawa).
He was predeceased by his parents, Zenkichi (1945) and Uto Iha (2005); and siblings, Seitokou Iha (2021) and Seiei Iha (2024).
To read the Lansing State Journal news article, please go to: link
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Online condolences may be left for his family at www.EstesLeadley.com
6 Messages to “Seikichi Iha”
Print MessagesPlease Sign The Guestbook
Mark Morrison
August 5, 2024 at 2:22 pmRIP to a great karate technician and wonderful friend for the time i new him
Kyoshi Mark Morrison
Seitokan Canada
James Stargel
August 8, 2024 at 10:20 amPeace to the soul of a great man and Sensei…. Condolences to his family and students. I met this amazing man and teacher in the mid 1970’s, had the opportunity to train with him in the Washington DC area and visiting him in Lansing. In the 1980’s, I flew him out to train my students in Maryland…. The techniques, knowledge, life-lessons were never forgotten.. RIP Sensei
Amit Michaeli
August 18, 2024 at 10:37 amIha Sensei will be missed by all of us while his spirit of friendship, cooperation and learning will live on in the hearts of all his students and their students, forever. May the Iha family know no more sorrow.
Laura Chartier
August 19, 2024 at 5:33 pmOur Greving hearts will forever miss your smiling face, wisdom, and most of all your friendship….all the fun and loving times we have shared with you are treasures in our soul….rest in the Glory of God our beloved Sensei. We Love you….Miss you and will smile with Loving memories as you keep “checking” on us from Heaven.
Kelly Miyasato
September 12, 2024 at 1:33 pmRest in love Uncle. Enjoy being with your cousins and family in Heaven.
Gustavo Adolfo Lozanoi Moreno
January 13, 2025 at 4:01 pmIN MEMORIAM
MASTER OF MASTERS
To the heaven of the Hanshis has departed,
At peace with everyone and with himself,
A very talented martial artist
Seikichi Iha “Master of Masters”,
From Karate-Do a sovereign highness.
His great Sokke, in Bogotá, Colombia,
proudly perpetuates his legacy
To the kingdom of the RyuKyu Islands, united,
regrets the departure (without consolation)
of the Prince Shihan of the Shihanes.
And even when such a rise afflicts the soul
Sakugawa, Matsumura and Itosu,
Chibana, Gusukuma and Miyahira,
Excited, in a New Forest already
Awaited, for him with open arms.
His memory will live forever
In every Dashi, Zuki, Gery and Enpi,
In all defense and accurate attack,
Wherever a Kata or Kumite
On a tatami be executed.
Faithful friend, brother and colossal father,
Kohai, Sempai, Sensei, Bushi, Taishogün,
The most illustrious one of the Menkyo Kaiden
With a warm, expert and attractive style,
that exalted his Little Forest.
Today his inheritance, his advice and ideal,
Sacred cultural and intangible asset,
That he shared with his students every day
In the “Urrego Kabayashi Shorin Ryu”
Are a standard of demanding courtesy.
And as the glorious term arrives,
That evading or deferring is impossible,
Sharing eternal glory with him,
At the Dojo we urge his presence
To never be less to his temper.